American Revolution in Massachusetts

In the years immediately preceding the beginning of the Revolutionary War, the actions of the British government led to increased levels of resentment and unrest among a significant portion of the population of the colonies. As a result of these ill feelings, several occasionally violent incidents took place in Massachusetts before the war began.

The Bostonians in Distress
Attributed to Philip Dawe
Published by R. Sayer and J. Bennett
London, 1774

Print shows ten Bostonians in a huge cage suspended from the Liberty Tree. British seamen hand them fish while cannons, ships and soldiers surround them in the background. This was published at the time Boston had been closed by the Port of Boston Bill in retaliation for the Boston Tea Party.